Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
We have previously observed that the Department’s evaluation of its employment support schemes depends on...
Conclusion
We have previously observed that the Department’s evaluation of its employment support schemes depends on clear evidence, and that accountability to stakeholders requires detailed and timely publication of performance data during each scheme’s operation. We recommended the Department produce regular data updates on its schemes, including Kickstart, at a local granular level.52 However, the Department did not publish any local data (at a local authority and constituency level) on Kickstart employers and participants until November 2021, and then it was in the form of an ad hoc answer to a parliamentary question, rather than as part of a regular, highly visible publication on its website.53 The Department said that, having set up the scheme quickly, it had faced difficulties with the quality of its data, but that as the reliability of its data had improved it had begun to publish more.54 48 Q24. 49 Qq23–24. 50 Qq42, 44. 51 C&AG’s Report, paragraph 19. 52 Committee of Public Accounts, Fifteenth Report of Session 2021–22, DWP Employment support, HC 177, Conclusion and recommendation 5. 53 C&AG’s Report, paragraph 1.19; PQ 58900, 5 November 2021. 54 Q95. 14 DWP Employment Support: Kickstart Scheme 2 Providing support to young people at risk of long-term unemployment Targeting Kickstart on individuals who would most benefit
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
3.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 3.2 As with the government's response provided to the Employment Support Study recommendations, the department will not be introducing regular statistical publications at this stage given that many of the programmes are about to come to an end. Instead, the department is considering how best it can put information about these schemes into the public domain after their closure and how information is best provided on schemes that will continue for longer. 3.3 The department has been working to improve data collection to support operational planning and policy decisions. As it does so, it has released more information into the public domain over time as the department’s understanding of the data, and its confidence in it, increases. 3.4 The department will look to develop an agreed approach as to how often it will publish updated information and the most appropriate method of doing so. 3.5 The department has committed to publishing evaluation findings which will give details on the impact of Kickstart on young people’s future employment prospects.